tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40218675810967048072024-03-14T04:40:01.807+00:00Are you sitting comfortably?Then we'll begin.Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-43637615391350011332014-07-25T10:19:00.001+01:002014-07-25T10:19:27.290+01:00#FridayReads 25th July 2014I have one aim for the coming days - get my arse into gear with this <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VXVQ1Bm5MmQ/U9IhG23E4VI/AAAAAAAAAPg/jSLii5jIVmk/s640/blogger-image-1542843852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VXVQ1Bm5MmQ/U9IhG23E4VI/AAAAAAAAAPg/jSLii5jIVmk/s640/blogger-image-1542843852.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am reading this as a Buddy Read and I am letting the side down. I'm 350 pages in and hoping to smash it out of the park this weekend. Yeah, watch this space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-40728925124092310402014-07-11T14:25:00.001+01:002014-07-25T10:06:33.112+01:00#FridayReads 11th July 2014If I had done a FridayReads last week it would be almost identical to today's. Not that I haven't been reading, honest, just the books I am reading are deliciously chunky and I am savouring every second.<div><br></div><div><b>The Son by Philipp Meyer</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-offFs5JJMUo/U7_luNroFRI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/nWtjVxBccRk/s640/blogger-image--1173435983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-offFs5JJMUo/U7_luNroFRI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/nWtjVxBccRk/s640/blogger-image--1173435983.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Epic in scope this tale of the fortunes of one founding "white" families in new state of Texas over several generations. Yes, this means multiple narrators and a non-linear story arc, so if that's not your jam I would steer clear. I have found myself flicking back and forth to the very handy but very needed family tree to try and keep track of who is who. Unfortunately this has spoilt my flow on several occasions, finding myself wandering over twitter so my brain hurts less. That being said I am invested in the story. The depth of research Meyer must have gone into to give this book a feeling of authenticity boggles the mind. Somehow he even managed to keep my focus during a chapter dedicated to the killing and various uses of a Buffalo carcas. As a on/off veggie it turned my stomach but I found myself congratulating them on their ability to use every single part of the animal. I hadn't realised how important animal cartlidge was....but I shall leave that there as it's lunchtime. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am currently on page 210/600. I hope to make a nice dent in that this weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am also re-reading <b>A Storm of Swords #2</b> and loving it. I'm only a couple of chapters in, I'm very much looking forward to the wedding festivities, hope nothing bad happens.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-76905145484139401702014-06-04T16:20:00.001+01:002014-06-04T16:20:25.448+01:00June 2014 TBRI'm excited for June! This month I will be taking part in a week-long 'TBR Toppler' which is organised by the Goodreads group <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1225-you-ll-love-this-one-a-book-club-more" target="_blank">You'll Love This One (YLTO)</a> from Saturday 7th. I hope to get through 4 or 5 books, some of these i've been meaning to read for ages, particularly Fahrenheit 451 :<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhaF4_Pycxw/U48z41MRMZI/AAAAAAAAAOI/euDdKI7uPfk/s1600/carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhaF4_Pycxw/U48z41MRMZI/AAAAAAAAAOI/euDdKI7uPfk/s1600/carolina.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iEcxkxXafJQ/U480BDuT0zI/AAAAAAAAAOg/NBibsBqCKns/s1600/intothewild.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iEcxkxXafJQ/U480BDuT0zI/AAAAAAAAAOg/NBibsBqCKns/s1600/intothewild.png" height="200" width="126" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcqpfqcs2Xw/U48z4nuKIrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/BNyMNDG3ln8/s1600/brooklyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcqpfqcs2Xw/U48z4nuKIrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/BNyMNDG3ln8/s1600/brooklyn.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtvkjTzbHMQ/U480K_KAbmI/AAAAAAAAAOo/sbxkZkluFmQ/s1600/oscarwao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtvkjTzbHMQ/U480K_KAbmI/AAAAAAAAAOo/sbxkZkluFmQ/s1600/oscarwao.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkZBuZuyCa8/U48z9kdqa6I/AAAAAAAAAOc/2HOg7QjV4QQ/s1600/fahrenheit-451-book-cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkZBuZuyCa8/U48z9kdqa6I/AAAAAAAAAOc/2HOg7QjV4QQ/s1600/fahrenheit-451-book-cover1.jpg" height="200" width="120" /></a></div>
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The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is the Writers of Color choice for this month on Goodreads, and I am also hoping to read it alongside Katy from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuqkFzQT3hFMwH21-zPVUsw" target="_blank">Katylovestoread</a> because she is great fun and buddy reading with her will really help me get through the mountain of books I have planned.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNbAS0ijbB0/U483MA6uQxI/AAAAAAAAAO0/7WYn44L1H2k/s1600/americanah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNbAS0ijbB0/U483MA6uQxI/AAAAAAAAAO0/7WYn44L1H2k/s1600/americanah.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7HeOZBjGL0/U483O8A3zZI/AAAAAAAAAO8/8UGLmB8M46Y/s1600/thesparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7HeOZBjGL0/U483O8A3zZI/AAAAAAAAAO8/8UGLmB8M46Y/s1600/thesparrow.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a></div>
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Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie is the final book I have to finish from the Bailey's Prize Shortlist, with the winner announced on Wednesday the 4th. I am really looking forward to seeing which book has won, it was such a great shortlist and I have really enjoyed following it. I will definitely do the same next year.<br />
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[I have now finished this and I enjoyed it - review to follow. I would like A Girl is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride or Burial Rites by Hannah Kent to win!]<br />
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I picked The Sparrow up on a whim and it sounds good so I am going to see if I can read that before the Toppler starts.<br />
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I have 8 books to read to reach my 50 book challenge, so hopefully by the end of the month I should be close to that target! Happy reading everyone :))Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-12134277469481412462014-01-06T08:41:00.000+00:002014-01-06T08:41:10.933+00:00Monday, MondayIt's the beginning of a new school term here in the UK, my teenage daughters have just left the building in what can only be described as a New Year miracle - there were no arguments, the house didn't get turned upside down, and I am feeling positive. Maybe, just maybe, we were a little more organised this morning? It feels that way.<br />
I do, do this....I have a habit of getting super-duper organised, an organisational warrior, if you will - but it never lasts. Before too long the snooze button on the alarm clock gets pressed a few times too many, the shoes are never in the place I swore I left them the night before and chaos ensues. But, the world likes a trier, so with that in mind, here is my weekly bookish to-do list -<br />
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<b><span style="color: cyan;">READ THE LUMINARIES</span> - </b>I am prioritising this in the <a href="http://www.boutofbooks.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bout of Books</a> readathon so with some luck I will get it finished. By the way folks, it's massive (832p), it's complex, it's written like a Victorian novel and has about 20 main characters. All things I love, all things that take time to digest. Review it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76QjMwHQYZU/Uspo6XBUxaI/AAAAAAAAAN0/TjHYP-kkwsw/s1600/the_luminaries_a_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76QjMwHQYZU/Uspo6XBUxaI/AAAAAAAAAN0/TjHYP-kkwsw/s1600/the_luminaries_a_p.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Ugh, this cover is porn</div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;">WRITE SOME REVIEWS</span> - </b>aka <span style="color: magenta;">Project Blog Revival</span>, I read some great books in 2013 and I need to write about them.<br />
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I have a good chance of completing these things because it's January and, if I was an unfortunate sufferer of bi-polar, this would definitely be classed as a manic episode of a month for me. I am on fire. Whether it'll be a flash in a pan or an eternal flame who knows (one thing is for certain, my fire analogies are amazing).<br />
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<br />Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-13345340931867399842014-01-05T15:49:00.001+00:002014-01-11T08:29:14.826+00:00Bout of Books 9.0I'm quickly hashing a post together to say that the BoutofBooks readathon starts tomorrow, hosted by Amanda @ On a Book Bender, and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. and I will be joining in!<br>
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It lasts from Monday 6th Jan-Sunday 12th. For more info go to boutofbooks.blogspot.co.uk</div>
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This readathon comes at a perfect time for me; the kids are back at school, I have some free time and there are some massive books on my tbr.</div>
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So, here are my quick ideas of what I would like to read and all that fun stuff -</div>
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<b>Time devoted to reading</b>:</div>
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I'm reading The Luminaries at the moment and it isn't a "quick read" so I plan to give that book at least two hours a day. I'm mixing it with other stuff so hopefully another hour on top of that, but life.</div>
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<b>My goals</b>:</div>
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Ultimately I, once again, would like to revive this blog and hopefully this can help towards that by participating in the challenges.</div>
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Bookishly, I'd like to finish The Luminaries (it's fricking huge) and maybe start on the rest of my Jan tbr. I am NOT going to be reading quick and easy books, so my total book count will reflect that. </div>
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<b>Books to read</b>:</div>
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<b>The Luminaries</b>, obviously, and possibly <b>The Testament of Mary</b> by Colm Toibon; <b>The Fifth Wave</b> by Rick Yancey and <b>Fingersmith</b> by Sarah Waters are both books left unfinished from 2013 and I feel guilty, so probably those. </div>
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I will update this post with my progress. Have fun everyone! HAPPY READING!</div>
Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-70443443810234234912013-10-16T15:37:00.002+01:002013-10-16T15:37:31.229+01:00Wishlist Wants!Just take a look at this gorgeous new Hardback Deluxe box set edition of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, due to be released (in the UK) on the 24th of October by Harper Collins. They are so beautiful!<br />
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<b>I actually need these for my bookshelf!</b> </div>
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Continuing with the fantasy theme Harper Voyager are releasing (just in time for Christmas) a book about my favourite character in the Song of Ice and Fire series, Tyrion Lannister. </div>
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Anyone that has read George R.R.Martin's epic fantasy series will know that Tyrion gets ALL the best lines. In this Hardback edition they illustrate some of his infamous quotes.</div>
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"<i><span style="color: #ea9999;">My sister has mistaken me for a mushroom. She keeps me in the dark and feeds me shit."</span></i></div>
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<b>This book is released in the UK on the 7th of November</b></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">What books are you looking forward to being released? Leave me a comment with your linky and I will come and take a look!</span></div>
Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-75957931681769171932013-10-15T08:12:00.000+01:002013-10-15T11:48:25.714+01:00Top Ten Books I was Forced to Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">TOP TEN BOOKS I WAS FORCED TO READ</span></b></div>
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This meme was created and is hosted by <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.co.uk/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" target="_blank">The Broke and The Bookish</a></div>
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I can't say I have ever been forced to read anything, although obviously school required me to read during English Lit classes. Here are 3 I loathed and 7 that I liked or loved.</div>
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<b>LOATHED *but might like now*</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ez1p7X_OIIk/UlujM0PCeXI/AAAAAAAAALU/4nOUr60fEXY/s1600/leis-key-the-caucasian-chalk-circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ez1p7X_OIIk/UlujM0PCeXI/AAAAAAAAALU/4nOUr60fEXY/s200/leis-key-the-caucasian-chalk-circle.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2EeAGNKbW5s/Uluiuk6LtFI/AAAAAAAAALM/gytyESC4Ks0/s1600/canterbury_tales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2EeAGNKbW5s/Uluiuk6LtFI/AAAAAAAAALM/gytyESC4Ks0/s200/canterbury_tales.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DNesutsgXE/Ulujr92qgTI/AAAAAAAAALc/y1T53kvx7gA/s1600/beowulf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DNesutsgXE/Ulujr92qgTI/AAAAAAAAALc/y1T53kvx7gA/s200/beowulf.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/94597.The_Caucasian_Chalk_Circle?from_search=true" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: cyan;">The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Brecht</span></b> </a>- A play we studied that I strongly disliked</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2696.The_Canterbury_Tales?from_search=true" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">The Canterbury Tales</span> </a>- I understand its historical importance but at 14 I found the language confusing</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1216128.Beowulf" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Beowulf</span> </a>- An epic poem that I couldn't be bothered with at the time </div>
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<b>LIKED *should re-read*</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/168668.Catch_22?from_search=true" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Catch 22 </span></a>by Joseph Heller - Great atmosphere in this book</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11012.Dubliners?from_search=true" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Dubliners</span></a> - Obsessed with all things Irish as a teen</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12985.The_Tempest?ac=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">The Tempest</span></a> - The first Shakespeare play I "got"</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/559059.Selected_Poems?ac=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Selected Poems of Tennyson</span></a> -<span style="color: #d5a6bd;"> I went to the same school as Tennyson</span> and a lot of the inspiration for his writing came from the area where I live, I related!</div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/763508.Under_Milk_Wood?ac=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Under Milk Wood</span></a> </span>by Dylan Thomas - I was amazed by this book</div>
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<b>LOVED *influenced my reading*</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQqYShsP-A/UlusYK44wwI/AAAAAAAAAMc/kI3Mqu1KkEQ/s1600/farfromthemaddingcrowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQqYShsP-A/UlusYK44wwI/AAAAAAAAAMc/kI3Mqu1KkEQ/s200/farfromthemaddingcrowd.jpg" width="128" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2wr9gP970uA/UluttxtR8VI/AAAAAAAAAMo/Et4UMQJT1gg/s1600/Cat's_Eye_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2wr9gP970uA/UluttxtR8VI/AAAAAAAAAMo/Et4UMQJT1gg/s200/Cat's_Eye_book_cover.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31463.Far_from_the_Madding_Crowd?from_search=true" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy</span></a> - I found a love of 19th century lit from reading this. Hardy is not a favourite now, however</div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51019.Cat_s_Eye?ac=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood</span> </a></span>- A great book to read in high school, I also loved her writing style.</div>
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Drop me a comment and your TTT link and I will come and check it out!</div>
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<br />Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-91781330535297335842013-10-13T21:04:00.001+01:002013-10-13T21:16:32.996+01:00Historical fiction tbr topplerThis week I am taking part in a week long challenge where participants are encouraged to read some historical fiction titles that have been on their TBR lists for a while. This is a Goodreads challenge taking place at <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1225" target="_blank">"You'll love this one and more"</a><br />
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For the purposes of this challenge it was pretty difficult to nail down exactly what historical fiction IS. I am going with the criteria that the books were NOT contemporary fiction at the time they were written and have a strong sense of the time period.<br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">MY TBR list</span> that I have decided to chose from this week.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl_lpvzc-CI/Ulr53LNaowI/AAAAAAAAAKg/uwte8c5vD1Q/s1600/200px-Fingersmithcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl_lpvzc-CI/Ulr53LNaowI/AAAAAAAAAKg/uwte8c5vD1Q/s200/200px-Fingersmithcover.jpg" width="121" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02DEiy6anPg/Ulr5i9-RlVI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Dr32uvH4wTs/s1600/Achilles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02DEiy6anPg/Ulr5i9-RlVI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Dr32uvH4wTs/s200/Achilles.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXUhrP6_RtY/Ulr7GZ_wsOI/AAAAAAAAAKs/tgfa6Hv1UQM/s1600/the+white+queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXUhrP6_RtY/Ulr7GZ_wsOI/AAAAAAAAAKs/tgfa6Hv1UQM/s200/the+white+queen.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNPlgb5o8kI/Ulr73oZwpaI/AAAAAAAAAK8/D-rDFU-2mb8/s1600/thelightbetweenoceans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNPlgb5o8kI/Ulr73oZwpaI/AAAAAAAAAK8/D-rDFU-2mb8/s200/thelightbetweenoceans.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgROIf_TTwU/Ulr7ZqbU0PI/AAAAAAAAAK0/blNLShqECAo/s1600/goodbye-to-berlin-vintage-classics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgROIf_TTwU/Ulr7ZqbU0PI/AAAAAAAAAK0/blNLShqECAo/s200/goodbye-to-berlin-vintage-classics.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: cyan;">CHALLENGE UPDATES</span></b></div>
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DAY ONE - started with <span style="color: #e06666;">The Song of Achilles</span>, late in the evening early hours of day two. Read 100 pages</div>
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<br />Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-29159073406739946662013-10-13T14:25:00.000+01:002013-10-13T17:31:21.297+01:00Week in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSYMdJKA6Hw/UlqYGYTVLfI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/HFtZBZKFCYc/s1600/week-in-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSYMdJKA6Hw/UlqYGYTVLfI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/HFtZBZKFCYc/s320/week-in-review.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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6th - 12th October 2013</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Films I saw this week</span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Carlito's Way</span></b> (1993)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0yehgqPtG3Y?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Awesome film, I know I am about 20 years late to this party, but I loved it, loved it. Pacino before his voice went all shouty and despite the beard and platform boots he was actually ok to look at. A LOT of dancing involved in this film too. Also, a lot of shooting and blood. Sidenote: Sean Penn was brilliant.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">TV I Saw this week</span></b></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Downton Abbey S04E03</b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<b>aka The One Where Things Go Badly For Anna</b></div>
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I can't say anything for fear of giving something away, but Downton Abbey got REAL last weekend. To say I was shocked is an understatement. </div>
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The baby saw it too</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Breaking Bad Season 3 on Netflix, yo.</b></span></div>
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Mr White earns his Reservoir Dogs name. Total winner, taking it steady because I don't want it to ever end. But it does. CRY.</div>
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Tension? Yes.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3299918/?claim=vedfs3hend7">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-80714118587846931402013-10-13T13:24:00.003+01:002013-10-13T13:24:46.951+01:00Showcase Sunday #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/" target="_blank">booksbiscuitsandtea</a> where we all get to show off what books we have purchased, acquired or have been given over the course of the week. I love seeing what new books people have got so check it out over at Vicky's blog.<br />
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This week (it wasn't technically this week but who cares) I have bought three physical books - <b>The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and The Twelve by Justin Cronin</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcL7NTMc5PQ/UlqPmpiWR7I/AAAAAAAAAJc/hphfRlqQRg8/s1600/bookhaul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcL7NTMc5PQ/UlqPmpiWR7I/AAAAAAAAAJc/hphfRlqQRg8/s320/bookhaul.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and one ebook - <b>Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood</b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOrhS0daie0/UlqQc7soMBI/AAAAAAAAAJo/8CahKnavUDk/s1600/goodbye-to-berlin-vintage-classics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOrhS0daie0/UlqQc7soMBI/AAAAAAAAAJo/8CahKnavUDk/s320/goodbye-to-berlin-vintage-classics.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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All of these books are high on my TBR list. And how good is that Vintage classic cover of Goodbye to Berlin?! Gorgeous.</div>
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<br />Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-22439439894251685302013-10-12T13:29:00.002+01:002013-10-13T12:58:50.777+01:00Dewey's Read-a-thon Update Post<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcK8ulwDwWs/UllqZp1W3jI/AAAAAAAAAHo/yDsW4I-yTb4/s1600/Read-a-thon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XcK8ulwDwWs/UllqZp1W3jI/AAAAAAAAAHo/yDsW4I-yTb4/s1600/Read-a-thon.jpg" /></a>Time for another 24 Hours read-a-thon, this time hosted by <a href="http://24hourreadathon.com/" target="_blank">24hourreadathon.com</a> in memory of Dewey.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Opening Meme - HOUR ONE</b></span><br />
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<b>1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?</b><br />
<b></b>I am Lancashire in the UK, it's cold here today, perfect day to stay in and read.<br />
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<b>2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? </b><br />
I have been reading <b>The Passage</b> by Justin Cronin, and I have about 300 pages left to go, so I really want to see what happens, I am loving it!<br />
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<b>3) What snack are you most looking forward to? </b>I have a little bag of peanuts and some dried fruit. I don't really like reading while eating, and actually I tend to forget about eating sometimes, which is fine by me as it keeps the kgs away.<br />
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<b>4) Tell us a little something about yourself. </b><br />
My cute ginger dog will be keeping me company during the readathon, and will more than likely join in with eating the snacks. I also have a fluffy brown cosy blanket and a large auburn coloured cushion that I am currently snuggled up with. Altogether we are a Vision in Brown.<br />
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<b>5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon what is one thing you would do differently today? If it's your first what are you most looking forward to?</b><br />
This is my first read-a-thon. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone is doing on Twitter, but also getting a reason to use my blog. I hardly ever update it and I really want to start. I am interested in seeing what everyone is reading, and taking part in the challenges too. When will I do any reading?!?!<br />
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Hour one progress: Started with The Passage, managed to read about 15 pages, not a great start!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HOUR TWO: Book Tunes </span>hosted by <a href="http://www.rivercityreading.com/2013/10/deweys-mini-challenge-hour-2-book-tunes.html" target="_blank">rivercityreading</a></b><br />
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<b>Choose a song that best suits the book you are reading so far, and explain why.</b><br />
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I am reading The Passage by Justin Cronin and I chose Muse "Starlight" as the song that best fits the story so far. Without giving too much away, the community in this book NEED to keep all the lights on at all times, so the people that can remember the time when they didn't need to do this really miss seeing the stars in the sky. The mood of the song is also very fitting and some of the words also really fit the plot too. "I don't know if it's worth it anymore" "Let's conspire to ignite all the souls that would die just to feel alive". If you've read this book, you will know what I am talking about!<br />
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Muse "Starlight"</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HOUR 4: Book spine poetry </span>hosted by <a href="http://www.capriciousreader.com/?p=10449" target="_blank">capriciousreader</a></b><br />
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Select a number of books and make a poem out of them. I really enjoyed this task. All pretty cool books as well, might I add :) My poem:<br />
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1984 The Year of the Flood,<br />
The remains of the day,<br />
After you'd gone.<br />
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*weep*<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hour 12: Mid-event survey </b></span><br />
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<b>1. How are you feeling? Sleepy?</b><br />
It's 12.20am where I am and I am in bed. I hope to read some more but today has been very long, particularly in my personal life. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz<br />
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<b>2. What have you finished reading?</b><br />
Nothing! I am reading a huge book so if I manage to just finish that by the time the challenge is over I will be happy<br />
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<b>3. What is your favourite read so far? </b><br />
I have only been reading The Passage so far, but I have just opened The Song of Achilles and that looks really good. I am trying not to care that I haven't finished anything yet!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-lv8IAFM2M/UlndAADfhUI/AAAAAAAAAH4/YL8jHB9xvdw/s1600/KP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-lv8IAFM2M/UlndAADfhUI/AAAAAAAAAH4/YL8jHB9xvdw/s200/KP.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>4. What about your favourite snacks?</b><br />
Peanuts, dry roasted! I only got a small bag, I wish I had got a bigger one, they were lovely.<br />
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<b>5. Have you found any new blogs?</b><br />
No but i've found some new Twitter users @marenfuga @momsnotall I am going to scout out more blogs tomorrow.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOUR 13. Best of your Reading Year</b></span> hosted by <a href="http://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/2013/read-thon-mini-challenge-hour-13-best-reading-year" target="_blank">lisasworldofbooks</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>BEST SCI-FI BOOK:</b></span></div>
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<b>READY PLAYER ONE by ERNST CLINE</b></div>
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This book was such fun to read, I couldn't put it down once I had started. I really loved how you could imagine this actually happening, and how in some respects it could already be starting. I have recommended this book to several people over the course of this year and everyone I know has raved about it afterwards. A winner.</div>
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<b>JEFFREY EUGENIDES </b></div>
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This year I have read all of Eugenides work;<b> Middlesex</b> (in my top three books of all time), <b>The Virgin Suicides</b>, <b>The Marriage Plot</b> and an anthology he edited called <b>My Mistresses Sparrow is Dead</b>. I have really liked his writing style and he always tackles some difficult topics with enormous grace and understanding. I have really enjoyed watching some interviews on youtube, he seems like a very thoughtful and inspiring person. </div>
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<b>THE NAME OF THE WIND by PATRICK ROTHFUSS</b></div>
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This book was a revelation to me. Rothfuss really concentrated on character development and did a cracking job with Kvothe, the main character. A story within a story, this book keeps your turning thorough all 1000 pages quickly! I am currently reading the second in the series, The Wise Man's Fear, but I am taking a break because I don't want it to end, and the next book has no release date yet!</div>
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<b>READING UPDATE</b> - The Passage is proving to be a LONG read, I don't seem to be getting anywhere. I read 120 pages of it and felt like I was reading all day. Needed to take a break (sleep) but before I did I read 103 pages of The Song of Achilles. I am going to finish that book today. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HOUR 19 - SHOW IT OFF hosted by</span></b> <a href="http://deadbookdarling.com/2013/10/mini-challenge-show-it-off.html" target="_blank">deadbookdarling</a></div>
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S<b>how a book from your library that you are extremely proud of</b> - I chose to show my Penguin Clothbound edition of Pride and Prejudice. This book stirs up emotions because my daughter chose to buy me this with her first pay from a saturday job when she was 15. I was so proud of her, firstly for having a job and still getting great grades and secondly for being selfless and choosing to spend her money on me. Also, Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourites and these clothbound editions are just gorgeous.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOUR 24 - Survey</b></span><br />
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<b>1. Which hour was most daunting for you?</b> I actually struggled with this readathon. It seemed like every time I sat down to read I needed to get up and go and do something else. Hour was difficult because it was saturday night and all my tv shows are on!<br />
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<b>2. Can you name a few high interest books that could keep a Reader engaged for next year?</b> It depends what kind of fiction you like, but some page turners that I recommend are Wool by Hugh Howey, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.<br />
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<b>3. Do you have any suggestions of how to improve the read-a-thon for next year?</b> When the challenges are about "guess the book from the picture" I think comments should be hidden until the end of the challenge, too much temptation to cheat, I didn't take part in one challenge because of seeing a lot of the answers.<br />
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<b>4. What did you think worked really well?</b> I was so impressed with the organisation! I loved that the challenges were posted promptly, you could really tell how much work had gone into the hourly posts, a massive pat on the back to everyone concerned!<br />
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<b>5. How many books did you read? </b>NONE! I managed to get through 200 pages of The Passage, which was good going for me, and I read 120 pages of The Song of Achilles. So, I guess that would be an average sized book normally. Can you tell I am feeling defensive? Some people have read A LOT of books!<br />
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<b>6. What were the names of the books you read? </b>The Passage by Justin Cronin and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller<br />
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<b>7. Which book did you enjoy most?</b> The Passage is a huge book so I have already invested a lot of time, so I am going to say that, because the story is just mind blowing. I can tell I am going to like both of them though.<br />
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<b>8. Which did you enjoy least? </b>I am enjoying them both, don't make me choose!<br />
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<b>9. Do you have any advice for next year's cheerleaders?</b> No, they did a great job, and were a lovely touch. Also very helpful when I needed some advice. Thanks!<br />
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<b>10. Will you participate again?</b> YES! This was so much fun! I think I would take part again as a reader, although you never know (I am not a confident blogger yet)</div>
Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-30267585747470568202013-08-18T23:31:00.003+01:002013-10-13T15:46:59.494+01:00The Classics Spin #3 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are taking part in the <a href="http://theclassicsclubblog.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/the-classics-spin-3/" target="_blank">Classics Spin #3</a> in August/September. For this challenge you have to chose 20 Classics and randomly assign each one a number. On Monday 19th The Classics Club blog will announce which number has been chosen, and that's the book you have to read! No cheating!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>1. The Trial</div>
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2. Swanns Way</div>
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3. Wuthering Heights </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>4. North and South</u> winner!</b></span></div>
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5. A Prayer for Owen Meany</div>
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6. The Three Musketeers </div>
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7. The Age of Innocence</div>
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8. Macbeth</div>
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9. Brave New World</div>
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10. One Flew Over the cuckoos nest</div>
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11. Little Women</div>
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12. Fahrenheit 451</div>
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13. The Master and Margarita</div>
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14. The Waves</div>
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15. A Room of one's own</div>
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16. A Room with a view</div>
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17. The Stepford Wives</div>
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18. Cat's Cradle</div>
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19. The Catcher in the Rye</div>
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20. East of Eden</div>
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Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-31329481547843057442013-02-27T01:04:00.002+00:002013-02-27T02:11:57.905+00:00Darkhouse (An Experiment in Terror #1) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BY KARINA HALLE</span></b></div>
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I've seen Karina Halle's name mentioned several times by some of my Goodreads friends, especially regarding her new series "Sins and Needles", so when I saw this ebook by her for<b> FREE at Amazon</b> it was a no brainer, because I don't like to be left out.</div>
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Firstly, I don't really<i> do</i> ghost stories, they scare me (shock) and I am useless at being scared, so I really thought I would only read a couple of pages before throwing my kindle to the other side of the room and running off in a panic. WRONG! I read it all in one day, and was very brave and I even read the creepy parts.</div>
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<b>Karina Halle</b> has created such a brilliant character in the unforgettably named <b>Perry Palomino</b>, a young woman in her early 20's, who is instantly like-able. You just want her to do well, but most of all you don't want her to die a creepy death, because she is funny, she has lumps and bumps in the wrong (right?) places, and has had a couple of mental health issues that she has got over. Overall she is a winning character, even if she thinks she is pretty useless in comparison to her irrepressible younger sister. </div>
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Perry begins to have what she believes are visions, and worries that her mental health issues are returning. One night, during a family visit to her uncle's house who lives on the coast of Canada, Perry explores a derelict lighthouse and gets a lot more than bargains for. She meets the mysterious Dex Foray (awesome name again!) who has also gone on a reccy of the lighthouse at the same time. Co-incidence? I don't think so! *cackle*</div>
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After uploading a video she has salvaged on her trip to the creepy-as-hell-lighthouse, she is inundated with requests for more, and, after an offer from Dex to make a more professional job of the video, they decide to make a return visit. Moral of that story? <b>Never read comments under YouTube videos</b>.</div>
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What follows is a really great story, told with really great characters. It's not going to blow your mind in a literary sense, but it's fun and I really needed something light to read. Dex is a very odd man by the way. Of course there is a spark between the two of them, but luckily there is no insta-love, because that is <i>so</i> unbelievable (but the ghost stuff, yep that's o.k). I downloaded the next in the series -<b> Red Fox -</b> and I had to spend all of 77p! Bargains galore. If you are into this kind of read - paranormal romance with ghosts and weird old ladies with maniacal grins, then do read this because I think you will love it.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Darkhouse-Experiment-Terror-1-ebook/dp/B0050Q6HQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361926240&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Check it out at Amazon</a></div>
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Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-18144267259981962762013-02-26T23:14:00.002+00:002013-02-27T01:59:55.073+00:00A restart (and collab with Charlotte)After being silent for what seems like an eternity, and then desperately messaging a dear friend for my log in details (Thank you, Andy, you are an absolute star), I've decided to re-start this blog.<br />
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Since the last post I think I've read about 70 books, so it's not that I've stopped reading, I stopped writing about what I was reading; which doesn't much help when this is supposed to be a book blog.<br />
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In other very important news, my lovely 17 year old daughter has decided that she would like to join in and write reviews of her own here; a collaboration, if you will.<br />
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As ever I will be giving my opinion rather than full reviews, because a) I am not clever enough and, b) I don't think anyone wants to watch me pretend to be.<br />
Charlotte likes to read a lot of YA, but is branching out into adult fiction (and I am not even forcing her) and I like to read pretty much anything going. <br />
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Enough of all the blah blahhhing. Send on the clowns.<br />
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Esta & Charlotte </div>
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<br />Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-83002567757974137752011-11-30T16:29:00.006+00:002011-12-01T10:00:29.649+00:00The Book Thief<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSLNPMIfQ0g/TtZhX2n_6dI/AAAAAAAAADQ/avWLecBuH1c/s1600/00000521_the-book-thief.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSLNPMIfQ0g/TtZhX2n_6dI/AAAAAAAAADQ/avWLecBuH1c/s320/00000521_the-book-thief.jpg" /></a>If you haven't read this book yet then seriously, what are you waiting for?<br />
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Sorry? What was that? You don't like breathtaking, life changing novels? Ah,that makes sense then, as you were.<br />
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I speak therefore the the other 99.9% of you. Please read this book. Actually, don't just read it, DEVOUR it.<br />
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Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death, it is surprisingly uplifting, mostly due to the amazing character development and unbelievable skill of Markus Zusak's writing.<br />
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Here are a few examples of delicious, sad and inspiringly yummy quotes -<br />
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<b>"Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain"</b> *swoon*<br />
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<b>"He tasted dusty and sweet. He tasted like regret in the shadows of the trees and in the glow of the anarchist's suit collection"</b> *omg*<br />
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Ooooo, oooo, one more....<br />
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<b>“It's hard to not like a man who not only notices the colors, but speaks them”</b>*agreed*<br />
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I have just realised I could go on all night, but I doubt that would hold anyone's attention for too long, so I urge you to put it on your TBR list. You can thank me afterwards, if you like.Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-10116290955155116422011-11-25T20:29:00.001+00:002011-11-27T12:32:43.485+00:00A geeky post, if you don't mind<div style="text-align: left;">I make no secret of the fact that I love ebooks, to be honest most of the time I am using an ereader - I have a HP Touchpad and an Iphone. I use the Stanza and Kindle app's and I think both are great. However neither of them are able to use all formats of ebook; for instance Kindle doesn't read epub files, which is annoying because most of the books I can get are in this format.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are finding this a pain too then I really recommend using Calibre, a piece of software that you download to your computer that converts files into the format you need them in.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GFYHGtaxo84/Ts_8eLQIujI/AAAAAAAAAB0/-zH3mOOLuQU/s1600/calibre.PNG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 440px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GFYHGtaxo84/Ts_8eLQIujI/AAAAAAAAAB0/-zH3mOOLuQU/s400/calibre.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679035250484230706" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here you can see that I was able to get hold of a copy of One Hundred Years of Solitude by the marvelous Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but it was in Epub format (top left).</div><div><br /></div><div>All I needed to to was select which format I wanted it in, in this case I was putting it on my Kindle so I went for Mobi (top right), and hit o.k and TA - DA! All ready to transfer using my iTunes!</div><div><br /></div><div>This isn't an advert so I am not going to go into it any further than I have, but you can download it <a href="http://calibre-ebook.com/">HERE</a> if you so wish! </div><div><br /></div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-82705277060186411372011-11-25T13:35:00.000+00:002011-11-25T13:50:43.802+00:00Bookworm Bitches Night<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb4A0RzEBsM/Ts-aU2htuaI/AAAAAAAAABc/5lo-QpTKVek/s1600/reading-under-tree-6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb4A0RzEBsM/Ts-aU2htuaI/AAAAAAAAABc/5lo-QpTKVek/s320/reading-under-tree-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678927338162469282" /></a><div>So, tomorrow night I am going to be taking part in <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/614098-what-is-bitch-s-night-week">Bookworm Bitches</a> readathon at Goodreads - A night where we try and read as much as we can and post up our progress. </div><div>I had thought I wasn't going to be able to take part in this months, because I had family coming over, but now I am free!!(I still love you Family, honestly)</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Depending on what I can get "hold" of, (as in download, not shoplift), I will be reading one of either -</div><div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9418327-bossypants">Bossypants by Tina Fey</a> OR</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7686667-delirium">Delirium by Lauren Oliver</a> OR</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256683.City_of_Bones">City of Bones by Cassandra Clare</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I actually can't wait.</div></div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-17705128790393735952011-11-25T07:37:00.000+00:002011-11-25T12:00:56.536+00:00It was good.....Seriously.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-KcDdZzimk/Ts9HARKQpHI/AAAAAAAAAA4/0rXLLNdP580/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-KcDdZzimk/Ts9HARKQpHI/AAAAAAAAAA4/0rXLLNdP580/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0446585025/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=12W269J8NNDWHRPSF70A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294">Seriously....I'm Kidding - by Ellen Degeneres</a></b><br />
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I started reading this book because a) I like Ellen and b) It's on the December reading list for one of my book groups at Goodreads.<br />
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First off, don't read this book if you want to get all serious and deep and want to find out about her sexuality and what it was like being Dory, because she isn't kidding when she says she is kidding (which is a shame, because Dory is absolutely my favourite forgetful fishy hero).<br />
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It's a page turner because you feel like you are watching a stand up show, or alternatively reading the notes from about a year in therapy. I loved the wit, the observations, in fact, I wanted to <b>be</b> Ellen by the time I had finished reading it.<br />
I tend to laugh at things pretty easily, so I laughed while reading this book, much to the dog's bemusement. (My dog believes I am only allowed to laugh at her dragging her back legs and vajazzle across the living room carpet). This book was equally funny and in some cases funnier than my dogs attention seeking side show.<br />
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One little annoyance I had, although it's not the books fault, was that I read it in HTML format (because someone sent it to me that way) so it hurt my eyes and I felt like I had to finish it IMMEDIATELY!<br />
It's the sort of book you need to have in your toilet, for guests to read, so hopefully I will get a physical copy of it soon. (Are you listening Mr Claus?)<br />
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Quote from the book:<br />
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<i><b>"Many of them ask questions that not only seem unnecessary but, to use a technical term, are also bonkers. I won’t say the name of the magazine (it sounds like “Pin Style”) I stole from my dentist’s office but there was a poll in it that asked readers, “How far will you take the season’s hot shade of green?” Thirty-nine percent of people said “All the way,” 37 percent said “Halfway,” and 24 percent said “Just a hint.”</b></i><br />
<b><i>Now, here’s my first question: What?! How far will you take the season’s hot shade of green? What does that mean? What does it mean to take green “all the way”? Like, to the prom? Are you going to settle down and have children with the color green? And look how close it is between “All the way” and “Halfway.” There’s only a 2 percent difference. I’m surprised we didn’t hear about that on the evening news</i>.</b><br />
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(I am going "All the way"...in case you were wondering)</div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-18268967496844384142011-11-25T06:44:00.001+00:002011-11-27T11:28:47.649+00:00A lack of Thanks being Given<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_k-UUp7D_0Q/Ts8-UNBWoRI/AAAAAAAAAAY/oyxm4UFStcs/s1600/thank-you-notice2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678826171951128850" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_k-UUp7D_0Q/Ts8-UNBWoRI/AAAAAAAAAAY/oyxm4UFStcs/s320/thank-you-notice2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Here in the UK we don't "DO" Thanksgiving, but it would be nice if you we have a day where we were all reminded about the little things in life that pass you by without even noticing.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I guess I am lucky that I have a life rich enough for things to pass me by, but in all honesty, I think many people are turning into whinge bags over nothing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here are a few things that I was or should have been grateful for yesterday, Thanksgiving.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I am grateful</b> that my daughters made it to their exam and that they both did well.</div><div><b>I am grateful</b> that my dog didn't urinate in the hallway, because that is very annoying.</div><div><b>I am grateful</b> that I had a nice snooze in the afternoon, uninterrupted by workmen being noisy outside</div><div><b>I am grateful</b> that I had a lovely chat with one of my best friends on skype, and that he let me boss him around, which was fun.</div><div><b>I am grateful</b> that I was wearing clothes when my next door neighbour knocked on my kitchen window and waved at me.</div><div>It's 7am now and <b>I am grateful </b>for the hour of silence I have had before I wake my little ladies up for school....tick tock.</div><div><b>I am grateful</b> I have electricity, food, warmth, family, choices, income, health....maybe these things should have come first?....hmmmmmmm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beeep Beeep. Alarms! Sorry, but no-one is ever going to make me grateful for those!</div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-20910218733689299612011-11-23T09:43:00.000+00:002011-11-25T14:32:01.602+00:00Starting Today....Finished Today!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yioGjIrCutY/Ts9FOBptroI/AAAAAAAAAAk/TVG8ISKlmnI/s1600/200px-Mockingjay.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678833762401365634" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yioGjIrCutY/Ts9FOBptroI/AAAAAAAAAAk/TVG8ISKlmnI/s320/200px-Mockingjay.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 303px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a>I had only just finished the second book in this trilogy, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6148028-catching-fire">Catching Fire</a>, but I could't wait to find out what happens to our little heroine, Katniss. I guess you can infer from that that I enjoyed this series of books; which I did, immensely. However, as the story has unfolded I have become more and more infuriated with Miss Everdeen and her glaring inability to read situations correctly. She has a annoying habit of gauging everyone's opinions of her as negative and is always assuming the worse outcome, unless, of course, something bad IS about to happen, and then she assumes the best. <div>While these personality traits worked just fine in the first book, when Katniss was young, niave and had been thrown into unexpected situations (you kinda had to feel for the girl) , by the time you reach this last installment it's wearing thin.<br />I found that Katniss didn't seem to grow in any tangible way emotionally, despite us having to go along with her second guessing every single one of her actions (unless she should have done -then she was spontaneous) and overthinking her relationships.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Basically, the girl needed a lot of things spelling out to her and it all became a little on the predicable side of realistic.</div><div><br /></div><div>That being said, I had to carry on reading, there was no way I was leaving the Peeta and Gale story without an ending! I wasn't as bothered about the love triangle aspect, I just wanted to know they were both ok.</div><div><br /></div><div>The ending was reminiscent of Harry Potter, I didn't feel it needed the quaint round up, presented with a ribbon on top. </div><div><br /></div><div>But please don't let this review stop you from jumping into the books, they are really good.</div><div>I know I should qualify that with a reason, but to be honest I am too tired after dealing with the frustration of Miss Everdeen to talk about how engaging the first few books are. But, let me put it simply, if that's ok with you? - I read this series in a couple of days because I couldn't put them down, even though I wanted to shake the central character, which has got to be a first for me.</div></div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-80612978617736479612011-11-23T08:49:00.000+00:002011-11-23T08:57:19.031+00:00“Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.”<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3472.Margaret_Atwood" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0); text-decoration: none; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Margaret Atwood</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">, </span><i style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1019987" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0); text-decoration: none; ">Cat's Eye</a></i></span>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4021867581096704807.post-26003070250401056962011-11-22T06:37:00.000+00:002011-11-23T15:32:34.054+00:00I am too young to remember those words........"Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin" when they were spoken on the radio by the BBC at the beginning of "Listen with Mother". However this was familiar to my parents, both of whom grew up in the 1950's, so it was second nature to them to begin any bedtime story when reading to my brother and I in the 1980's. Those words always made me snuggle down deeper under the covers, stop any fidgeting and made me feel safe and secure.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.turnipnet.com/radio/lwm.wav">Hear it here</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>My mum would read Jane Austen and other classic novels, my favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice, and I often wonder if it's the memory of it being read to me that makes me love it so much. My Father would read us fantasy but more often than not he would tell us made up horror stories, which weren't really a sleep aid, but I loved them all the same. </div><div><br /></div><div>My mother was and still is a bookworm, my father was less so given his dyslexia and lack of reading opportunities as a child. But he understood the importance of it, and I will never forget him reading The Hobbit to us. </div><div><br /></div><div>My parents instilled of love of books in me that I have carried throughout the rest of my live. Now I am in my 30's I realise it's one of the most precious gifts they could have given me. Something I HOPE that I have given my children too.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, my blog is in dedication to them; a "thank you" for surrounding me with books, a homage to all the hours I would spend sitting on bookshop floors waiting for my mother to decide which books we were taking home that day and an apology for all the late library book fines I managed to collect throughout the years.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Estherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971566719132078957noreply@blogger.com0